Or, call Melody Scanlon at 935-7417, or e-mail her at mldyarnold@yahoo.com.
Items should be clean and in good condition.
Last year, she gave away dresses to more than 100 girls from throughout Central New York. This year, she’s “expecting the need to be even higher, because of the slow economy,” said Scanlon, who is gearing up for the organization’s fourth prom season. “Without dresses, we won’t meet the need this year.”

Scanlon said she’s encouraging local schools to host prom dress drives as a way of helping out the cause. Schools are a good resource for dress donations because the styles are current and likely to be suitable for another prom season, she said.

“What I wore in 1992 isn’t what people are wearing today,” Scanlon said.

To get a dress

Those looking to get a prom dress through Our Secret Prom Dress can contact Melody Scanlon at 935-7417, mldyarnold@yahoo.com, or through the guidance or nurse’s office at school. Those seeking a dress will be sent an invitation to the organization’s special night in late spring.She’s also anxious to get the word out to girls who are struggling to afford the cost of a dress.

“It’s important that students know we’re here,” she said.

Typically, referrals of girls who might need a dress come from the guidance or nurse’s office at local high schools. Once a referral is made, or a girl makes contact about needing a dress, Scanlon sends out a personal invitation to attend a special night, where shopping and any alterations are done right on the spot.

Purchased off the rack at a clothing store, a prom dress can run as high as several hundred dollars, and often is the most expensive part of prom night. Add to that the cost of shoes, the prom ticket, accessories and dinner, and already the door is closed for many girls.

“We need quite a variety of different sizes,” Scanlon said.

There are some very small sizes still on the hangers from last year’s event, and she’s hoping to increase the inventory of larger sizes (8 and up). In 2009, she collected about 500 dresses.

While dresses are the main event, the sideshow – as in, accessories – can steal the entire show. Our Secret Prom Dress has accessories available, as well – and accepts donations of these items. Things like sparkly tiaras, costume jewelry, shoes, even handbags are often used just for a few hours and, like a dress, are in fine shape for another night (or two!) out.

Girls don’t just walk out with a dress, crossing their fingers for a good fit. Scanlon has assembled a team of assistants to provide a few extra perks, like custom alterations, done free. The Syracuse chapter of the American Sewing Guild volunteers for that work.

“To see five or six women walk in with their sewing machines – I think that is so cool,” Scanlon said.

While those donating dresses are asked to bring them already cleaned, Scanlon has enlisted the help of Patrick’s Cleaners of Westvale, where the dresses are dry cleaned if necessary. The dresses are stored at WJW Associates in Syracuse, then brought by truck to the Liverpool Elks Lodge, whose members donate the space to hold the event.

“I think we miss a lot of girls (who are in need),” said Scanlon, who started the organization when she read about another community that held successful prom dress drives. “And I think it’s so great that we can do this for the girls.”